Jockey James McDonald expresses confidence in two promising horses making a significant impact during the upcoming spring carnival, as he prepares to partner with Columbus and Enviable again at Rosehill this Saturday.
Attention will be firmly fixed on Columbus, trained by Les Bridge, and Chris Waller’s charge Enviable, as they compete in separate races following impressive wins at Newcastle earlier this month upon their returns.
McDonald made a notable choice to ride Columbus in a midweek Hawkesbury race last October when the gelding broke his maiden, and he feels the talented four-year-old could have contended in the major three-year-old races if not for an injury that disrupted his campaign.
Enviable also lost valuable racing time due to a paddock injury sustained after a spring campaign that featured a fourth in the Flight Stakes and a placing at Group 2 level during the Melbourne Carnival.
Both horses demonstrated their return to winning form at Newcastle on July 14 and are heading to Rosehill as strong contenders.
Enviable is currently the $2.60 favourite for the Congratulations Chris Waller Handicap over 1400m, while Columbus holds the $2.20 favourite status for the Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap over 1500m.
“I was gutted when he had a bit of time off,” McDonald remarked regarding Columbus.
“I thought he was a perfect Rosehill Guineas type of horse, so he’s got huge talent. He’s got a lovely record, unexposed. A bit like the filly as well.
“She has been exposed to the top level, but what she was doing at three – she was so unfurnished – the time off has done her the world of good, and that confidence win would have done her the world of good.
“They’re two lovely horses.”
Saturday’s race meeting also signifies the commencement of another Sydney jockeys’ premiership for McDonald, who clinched his tenth overall title and an eighth consecutive crown in the 2025/26 season.
McDonald amassed 91 Sydney metropolitan victories, outranking Zac Lloyd by 12 wins, yet anticipates that defending his title will become increasingly challenging.
“It will get harder, that’s for sure. There is really good young talent,” McDonald stated.
“As the years have gone by, the landscape has changed a little bit in terms of my travel and engagements. It will be similar to this year when I had so much time away and I was lucky to hang on.”
Despite dedicating more time to racing interstate and internationally, including his ongoing partnership with Hong Kong’s prominent galloper Romantic Warrior, McDonald continues to be the leading Sydney jockey with a winning strike-rate exceeding 25 per cent.
He will be aiming to kick off the new season with a victory, mirroring his start to the previous one when Amusing provided him with a winner on his opening metropolitan ride, with Columbus slated to begin his 2026/27 campaign at Rosehill.
With Columbus and Enviable looking strong, punters are eyeing the online bookmakers for the best racing odds.